Maui CC Named MetLife Foundation Best-Practice College


Maui Community College is one of four recipients of the 2002–2003 MetLife Foundation Best-Practice College Awards for exemplary performance in student retention. The winners were announced in Austin, Texas on Nov. 21, 2002.

Selection of the award winners was based on the institutions’ performance on the retention index from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) conducted in participating colleges across the nation.

Colleges with the top retention index scores were identified as semi-finalists. Each institution was then invited to submit further information, including data on student retention and a description of key strategies for student retention employed by the college. Selection of colleges to receive the awards was based on "blind" review of college portfolios by a panel of community college experts.

"We feel deeply honored to receive this award," says Dean of Students Alvin Tagomori. "Student retention is very important to us at Maui Community College. We want our students to be able to stay in school and achieve their goals."

One of the retention strategies that won the top honor for Maui CC is a student case management system implemented in fall 2002. Using this system, faculty, counselors, staff and administrators work as a team, helping students with all areas of educational and career planning, development and success. A web-based portfolio provides the student with access to information on majors, schools, scholarships and financial assistance and essential life skills.

"Once students decide on a major," says Tagomori, "their educational plans are also created. This allows them to understand program requirements and to fully engage in the planning process that will allow them to achieve their educational and career goals."

To provide access and accountability, designated counselors are linked to specific programs of study. Currently, majors in MCC vocational programs are receiving case management services. The program will be expanded to include all students.

Each MetLife Award-winning college will receive $10,000. Following a series of student focus groups to be conducted at each of the colleges, the institutions’ success stories will be summarized and disseminated through a series of Best Practice Highlights, a publication that will reach community and technical college presidents, administrators, faculty, staff and state directors across the country.

"This award is a testimony to the hard work and dedication of our Maui CC faculty and student services staff working together to help students achieve their academic dreams," says flo wiger, acting provost of Maui CC.

Kay McClenney, director of the project at The University of Texas at Austin, says, "The success of community college students matters a great deal, both to them as individuals and to our society. We welcome this opportunity to celebrate the achievement of colleges where the evidence shows that they are gaining ground in promoting student retention."

The three other Best-Practice Colleges are Community College of Denver in Colorado, Central Piedmont CC in North Carolina and Montgomery County CC in Texas. Two University of Hawai‘i system community colleges, Hawai‘i and Windward, were selected as semi-finalists.

The MetLife Foundation Initiative will continue the award program through 2003–2004. Colleges that participate in the spring 2003 Community College Survey of Student Engagement will be automatically eligible for consideration.

Community College Leadership Program at The University of Texas at Austin is recognized internationally as a leading program in the preparation of educational leaders in the community college sector. Affiliated with the CCLP, the Community College Survey of Student Engagement is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Lumina Foundation for Education. MetLife Foundation, established in 1976 by MetLife Insurance Company, supports health, education, civic, and cultural programs throughout the United States.